VBAC birth story

Sunrise77 · February 2009

Hi All -

I don't post a ton on here, but am avid "parenting lurker" who is always interested in the advice and opinions on here. Anyway, just thought I would post a brief recount of the birth of my 2nd DS, which was a successful VBAC.

- I was 40 wks and 2 days, and getting rather frustrated and irritable. Woke up that morning and still wasn't feeling anything consistent, so I resigned myself to another day of waiting. Decided to venture to Trader Joe's with DS #1 after lunch, and sure enough started feeling regular contractions on the ride there. While shopping in the store, I also thought I felt like I was possibly leaking fluid, so when I got home I decided to call L & D triage. The midwife on call advised that I should try and come in that afternoon (no rush though) to get examined. This worked out really well, since it gave up ample to time have my parents come over and get settled with DS #1.

DH and I headed into L & D and I have my first exam....no dialation progress since my earlier OB appt that week (I was 3 cm), and turns out my water had not broken, but they wanted me to walk around a bit and check again in an hour. At this point, I was definitely feeling more intense contrax and they were coming around every 2 min. Walked for an hour....got rechecked, but no progress. Did this again, and at 3rd exam, was finally up to 4cm and got admitted.

Once in my room, I quickly shot up to 8 cm, and got the epi. 30 min later I was 10 cm and ready to push. Pushed for 1 hr and out came DS#2, at a VERY surpising 9lbs, 4oz. My OB had said all along that they thought he would be smaller than DS#1 (who was 8lbs, 3oz), so I was shocked!

It was an amazing experience and I am so happy that I got to achieve the birth in this way. I did have a 3rd degree tear, but honestly, it hasn't been painful at all. I took Motrin at the hospital and for 2 days after and that was it.

Background on first birth -- c-section was needed after fully dialating and pushing for 4 hrs....DS#1's heartbeart dropped 3 times and he was posterior and not coming out. The recovery was fine (actually pretty easy compared to some stories that I've heard), but I knew that I wanted to try to VBAC for this 2nd birth so that my recovery with a toddler at home would be even easier.

Good luck to all those ladies that are VBAC hopeful....it is an amazing experience!

gr8bigsmile · February 2009

Thank you for posting this! I am a VBAC hopeful and right now it looks like I have a good chance. I am very nervous and fearful of a vaginal delivery (but not as much as another c-section) but your story has given me hope.

HappyNutting · February 2009

Thank you for sharing! I pushed prior to needing my c-section and like hearing successful V-BAC stories from similar situations...hoping to have one next time around.

thanks again and congratulations!

sju · February 2009

Congratulations and thanks for posting your story. I had an emergency c/s with DS before I even started real labor. I hope for a VBAC but I have been very fearful of tearing badly so your story definitely gives me hope.